The International Seating Symposium (ISS) is the world’s largest academic conference in the field of seating, mobility, and assistive technology for people with disabilities. ISS draws key stakeholders from the continuum of care: clinicians, researchers, manufacturers, suppliers, consumers, and more are all present at our events.

ISS was founded in 1982 by members of the Vancouver, British Columbia, Seating Special Interest group. While the field of seating and mobility was in its infancy, the Sunny Hill Health Centre for Children took the lead in organizing the first symposium. The initial organizers included Lori Roxborough, Daphne Neen, Maureen Story, Bob Gobert, Elaine Liau and Dr. Stephen Tredwell—many of whom are still involved with the ISS. This group brought clinicians, researchers, and exhibitors together to develop resources and create a network focused on seating and mobility. While the initial meeting in 1983 was small, with only 98 participants and 11 exhibitors, this event’s mission laid the foundation for today’s events.

In 1986, Sunny Hill was approached by Doug Hobson, a rehabilitation engineer from Winnipeg, who was also instrumental in starting RESNA in the late 1970s. Hobson, of the University of Tennessee’s Memphis Rehabilitation Engineering Program, proposed a partnership to bring ISS to the United States. The 3rd ISS was held in Memphis, TN, in 1987. Following this, hosting of the event alternated annually, with even-numbered years in Vancouver and odd-numbered years in the United States.

ISS is now directed by a team at the University of Pittsburgh who still honors this ‘biennial’ format. Even-numbered years feature virtual, low-cost events that can be experienced both live and asynchronously, such as the ISS: Virtual Professional Summer. On odd-numbered years, full, in-person symposia are hosted, allowing professionals to gather for ISS’s trademark exhibit hall, hands-on workshops, and educational sessions.

The conference organizers have supported and facilitated partner conferences in other continents including the European Seating Symposium, Latin American Seating Symposium, and Oceania Seating Symposium. We thank these events and their management for their dedication to global seating and wheeled mobility!

Meet our Team

The International Seating Symposium is independently run by professionals in the University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Rehabilitation Science & Technology. Our team includes practicing clinicians, educators, and individuals with other appointments at Pitt.

Contact us: iss_info@pitt.edu